So we’ve only gone and done it again. A British player was drafted in the NHL draft for the second time in three years! Well done to Tristen Robins, who was picked 56th overall (in the second round) by the San Jose Sharks.
OK so we have a confession to make. Tristen is Canadian (and don’t we all just love Tim Hortons). He was however born in London. Tristen’s dad, (Trevor Robins) was a goaltender for the Nottingham Panthers and London Knights for a number of years in the late nineties and early noughties. Sadly, given that he is available to play for the Canadian national team, we probably can’t claim him.
Tristen follows Liam Kirk being picked 189th overall in the 2018 draft by the Arizona Coyotes (Go Yotes!). Liam is a product of the Sheffield (Boo!) Ice Hockey Academy and is genuine British born and raised player. Liam is currently playing the the minors, in the Ontario Hockey League (“OHL”), where he will be gaining experience in one of the hardest ice hockey leagues in the world.
Check out the Pete’s here.
Why is the selection of British NHL players in the draft important?
Players like Liam are vital for the growth of the sport in the UK. Having a British player not only drafted in the NHL, but playing too will massively improve the credibility of other British players, the Elite League and British academies. Not only this, but the inspirational factor for young players currently in British academies is huge.
Even if Liam never makes it to the NHL (and we are sure he will), the mere fact that he ‘broke the duck’ and was drafted out of the Sheffield Ice Hockey Academy is brilliant for the sport.
Whilst Tristen might not be actually British, let’s hope the trend continues and here’s to many more in the future.
#growthegame
Check out some if the great teams, we have in Manchester – could the next British player to be picked in the NHL draft be from one of these?
Yak